One of the most important skills a doctor can posses, is that of a bed side manner. In the same sense, it is important that sales people posses the same type of skill, to be able to put their customer at ease.

Relaxing your customer is important to any type of sales situation you may find yourself in. Remember, think of the customer as a guest in your house, you are the host, so you want to make them as comfortable as possible in your house. The more comfortable they are in your house, the easier it will be for them to talk to you.

In sales, trying to persuade someone we have never met before to buy our product can be very challenging.

It can be challenging for a number of reasons, mainly the fear that consumers associate with sales people.

The fear that we are all alike, comparing us to the unfair stereotype of the used car salesman. They are afraid of being convinced to buy something they don’t need at a price they can’t afford.

You need to find a common denominator with your customer, something you can both relate to, something non-business.

A non-business conversation is a great way to break the ice with your customer. We all want to make a sale, but since when is it a crime to get to know your customer?

This is easier than you may think, people love to talk, especially about them selves.

So ask questions. Ask about their pets, their families, their work, and their hobbies.

When I was in banking, I managed a branch inside of a supermarket. Our daily goals consisted of going out into the aisles, approaching customers, and trying to convince them to bank with us.

We applied certain techniques to this type of sales that worked rather well.

For instance, the pet food aisle was a good place to talk to people, because people loved to talk about their pets. A simple question such as; “What kind of dog do you have?” would get them talking with the greatest of ease.

The junk food aisle was also a good place to talk to people. For some reason the presence of candy and junk food put people in a good mood, and they were more prone to talk with a stranger.

One place we stayed away from, was the frozen food section, because people didn’t want to talk where it was cold. Understandable.

My point is, people love to talk as long as they can relate to the subject manner, so don’t be afraid to ask questions, and get to know your customer beyond that of the products they need.

The more relaxed you can make your customer in your setting, the better off the two of you will be, and the more sales you will walk away with.

The goal in starting a direct sales company is the same for each and every entrepreneur, which is to build a profitable business that earns a regular income. How to accomplish this can be confusing, especially with the large number of direct sales opportunities available to you. The way to choose the best direct sales opportunity is not unlike purchasing a car or home. You must study the information that is relevant to your personal goals and make informed decisions. If you simply choose a product and/or company without first researching the company itself and the products it sells, you could end up disappointed and unable to move forward with your plans. Before you make your decision as to which direct sales opportunity is right for you, ask yourself a few key questions:

What do you think of the products the company offers? The products you offer must sell well in the present, but continue to sell in the future as well. The price range of the products is also important. You need to make sure the products you sell are affordable enough to use on a regular basis.

Consider how often the products will need to be reordered. You will want to ensure that you have repeat customers on a very regular basis. Also consider the commission or other money that you will earn for your efforts. What is it that you will be required to do or achieve before you will get your commission or bonus? Also, is there a yearly fee for your membership and if so, how much is it?

How will you advertise your direct sales company and how much will it cost? Many companies will give you a web site that you can promote as you see fit while others are not internet friendly. You need to make sure you are free to use the company name and logo in your advertising campaigns and that your advertising plans are in sync with what the company has in mind. Talk with those who are already selling the products and collect all the information you can to help you make an informed decision.

Determine how much money you want to invest. You will be the business owner, even if you purchase products from another company with the intent of reselling them. You will be solely responsible for your success or failure. Success will come a lot easier for you if you set your budget in the beginning and stick to it. You should only invest the amount of money you are willing to lose. With every business there is a chance of failure, the reasons for which may be due to many different factors.

You will have to be available for meetings, training, and other functions. As a business owner, you will benefit from networking with other business owners. Check into what the company in question offers as far as seminars, training sessions, and product releases.

The most important thing for you to keep in mind is that direct sales will require hard work and determination. You will not be able to simply join one company or another and expect that the products will sell themselves. You will have busy times and slow times and you must be prepared financially for the slow times. Basically, if you are happy with the products you sell and are willing to put forth the effort; you will succeed in starting and profiting from a direct sales company.